Everyone has their own pace

The idea

The timing, nature and extent of adolescent changes vary among individuals, and these variations are normal; each person goes through adolescence at their own pace and for a different duration.

Same age, different changes

Devyani is 12 and has already grown tall. Her friend Arun is also 12, but he has not started to change yet.

What do you think is true about friends of the same age?

• All of them change at the same time
• Each one changes in their own time
• Only one of them can grow up

Four friends, one clock

Slide the clock. Each coloured bar is one friend going through adolescence. Watch when each bar starts and how long it lasts.

Everyone is different

The timing, nature and extent of the changes vary from person to person, and these variations are completely normal. Each person goes through adolescence at their own pace, and for a different duration.

So a friend who changes earlier or later than you is not doing anything wrong. Proper guidance and awareness help every adolescent manage the changes.

• What can differ | In plain words
• Timing | when the changes begin
• Nature | which kind of change, like height, voice or facial hair
• Extent | how much the change shows
• Duration | how long adolescence lasts

Notes

The timing, nature and extent of adolescent changes vary among people, and these variations are completely normal. Each person goes through adolescence at their own pace and for a different duration.

Check yourself

Which of these can differ from one person to another?

Look at the four bars. How many of the four friends went through adolescence at exactly the same time and for exactly as long as another friend?

Answer: 0

None. Each friend started at a different time and went on for a different time.

Venkatesh's bar is longer than Farah's bar. What does this show?

Meera notices that her friends have grown taller, but she has not yet. What should she remember?

• Only how tall a person finally becomes. Height is one of them, but the timing, nature and extent of changes all vary.
• Nothing, because everyone changes in the same way. The changes vary from person to person.
• The timing, nature and extent of the changes — correct. Yes! All of these vary, and it is completely normal.
• The duration varies from person to person — correct. Yes! It lasts for a different time for each person.
• Farah did not go through adolescence at all. She did. Her bar is shorter because the duration varies.
• Everyone's adolescence lasts exactly the same time. The bars have different lengths, so the duration varies.
• She must hurry up to catch up with her friends. There is no race. Each person goes at their own pace.
• It is normal; each person has their own pace — correct. Yes! Variations are completely normal.
• She will never go through adolescence at all. Every person goes through adolescence, each at their own pace.